Pull-up tray container

ABSTRACT

A cosmetic brush container has a cylindrical sidewall, a closed bottom, and an open top. A tray is carried within the container for axial movement relative to a longitudinal axis of the container from a lower storage position. A lid releasably fits over the top of the container. A lifting member, preferably an elongated telescoping assembly, extends between the tray and the lid. Brushes are carried in the container, with lower ends supported on the tray and bristles supported by the sidewall of the container. Lifting the lid causes the tray to move upward and the bristles of the brushes to move above the top of the container for access by a user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 10/901,535, filed Jul. 29, 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application 60/490,730 filed Jul. 29, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to containers for holding loose items, and in particular to a container with a pull-up tray for holding cosmetic brushes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Often, a person will use a variety of sizes of cosmetic brushes for applying cosmetics. The brushes apply both powdered cosmetics as well as cosmetics in a liquid or paste form. One way to keep the brushes organized and neat in appearance while not in use is to place them in an open-topped container. The lower ends of the brushes are supported on the bottom of the container and the bristles extend above the top.

While workable, other objects or part of the clothing of the user might contact the exposed bristles, causing residual cosmetics on the brushes to transfer to the clothing or other objects. Also, in some cases, bacteria may grow in the residual cosmetics left on the bristles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In this invention, an apparatus for storing articles is provided that is particularly appropriate for storing cosmetic brushes. The apparatus includes a container having a sidewall, a closed bottom, and an open top. A tray is carried within the container for axial movement along a longitudinal axis of the container. A lifting member is secured to the tray and extends upward to at least the top of the container.

In use, the brushes are placed in the container with lower ends resting on the tray. When the tray is in the lower position, the bristles of the brushes are supported by the sidewalls of the container below the top. Lifting the lifting member pulls the tray upward and exposes the bristles of the brushes.

Preferably a lid connects to the lifting member for movement therewith. When the tray is in a lower position, the lid will engage the top of the container. Also, preferably, the tray has an upper self-supporting position that allows the user to release the lifting member with the bristles of the brushes being exposed above the top of the container. In one embodiment, an upper shoulder supports the tray to provide this self-supporting position. In this example, mating guides are formed on the interior sidewall of the container and the tray. The upper ends of the guides on the sidewall terminate at the upper shoulder. While the tray is below the upper shoulder, the mating guides prevent rotation of the tray. While above, the user can rotate the tray slightly to misalign the mating guides so that the upper shoulder will support the tray.

In another embodiment, the lifting member comprising a telescoping assembly with frictional walls that will support the tray at any elevation within the container. In the embodiment shown, the telescoping assembly comprises a mandrel that is fixed to the closed bottom of the container and has an upper end near the open end of the container. A sleeve slides over the mandrel and moves from a contracted position to an extended position. The tray is secured to a lower end of the sleeve, and the lid is secured to an upper end of the sleeve. The friction between the sleeve and the mandrel will support the tray at any elevation within the container.

Optionally, a chemical treatment material, such as an anti-microbial agent may be located in the container. Preferably, the tray is located above the bottom a selected distance while in a lower position, defining a lower compartment. Also, the tray preferably has perforations. The chemical treatment material is located in the lower compartment and communicates with the brushes via the perforations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a brush container constructed in accordance with this invention and shown in the open position.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the container of FIG. 1, shown in the closed position.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the container of FIG. 1, taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a portion of the container of FIG. 1, with the tray shown removed.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the container of FIG. 1, taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a lower portion of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of another embodiment of a brush container in accordance with the invention and showing the tray in an upper position.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the container of FIG. 7, but showing the tray in a lower position.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged portion of the telescoping assembly of the container of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, container 11 is particularly used for holding cosmetic brushes 13, however, it could be used for holding other items as well. Cosmetic brushes 13 are conventional, each having a handle and a set of bristles 14. Container 11 has a cylindrical sidewall 15 that is preferably of clear plastic material, such as acrylic. Container 11 has a bottom 17 and an open upper end 19.

A plurality of guides or splines 21 are integrally formed in the inner diameter of sidewall 15. Each spline 21 extends longitudinally, parallel with an axis of cylindrical sidewall 15. Each spline 21 protrudes a short distance radially inward from the inner diameter of sidewall 15 and has a narrow width. The number of splines 21 could vary and in the preferred embodiment there are four, each spaced 90° from the other, as shown in FIG. 3. Splines 21 could optionally extend to bottom 17, but preferably terminate at an annular ledge 23, shown in FIG. 6. Ledge 23 is located a short distance above bottom 17 and has the same radial dimension as each spline 21. Ledge 23 extends circumferentially around the inner diameter of sidewall 15.

The upper end 25 of each spline 21, as shown in FIG. 4, is preferably contained in a plane perpendicular to the axis of sidewall 15, defining an upper shoulder. The upper ends 25 of splines 21 are positioned a selected distance below container upper end 19, this distance being selected so that the longest brushes 13 for storage in container 11 will not fall laterally out of container 11, rather their handles will be supported by the open upper end 19 while container 11 is in the open position. The position of the upper ends 25 of splines 21 is also selected so that the tips of the shortest brushes 13 for storage in container 11 will be above upper end 19 while container 11 is in the open position.

Container 11 also includes a tray 27 that supports the lower ends of the handles of brushes 13. Tray 27 is a circular flat disc that has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of sidewall 15. Tray 27 could optionally have a circular wall extending upward a short distance. The outer diameter of tray 27 is larger than the distance between two of the splines 21 located 180° apart from each other. That is, a diameter measured at the inner surfaces of splines 21 is less than the outer diameter of tray 27. Optionally, tray 27 has a plurality of perforations or apertures 29 (FIG. 3) that are spaced throughout for ventilation. However, apertures 29 could be eliminated if desired.

Tray 27 also has a plurality of guides or notches 31 formed in its outer diameter, notches 31 being 90° apart. Each notch 31 has a width slightly greater than the width of one of the splines 21 so that tray 27 will slide freely over splines 21, when registered as shown in FIG. 2. When notches 31 are in registry with splines 21, tray 27 cannot rotate relative to container 11. Because the outer diameter of tray 27 is greater than the inner diameter of splines 21, when tray 27 is above splines 21 and notches 31 are misaligned with splines 21, as shown in FIG. 1, tray 27 can rest on upper ends 25 of splines 21, which serve as a self-supporting shoulder.

A receptacle 33 is formed on the upper side of tray 27 for securing tray 27 to the lower end of an elongated lifting member, such as rod 35. Receptacle 33 is preferably threaded, but rod 35 could be fastened in other ways. Rod 35 extends substantially the length of container 11 and secures to a lid 37 at its upper end. Lid 37 fits within or over container upper end 19 to close container 11. Lid 37 may be a variety of types and may have a knob 39 for manually grasping to lift lid 37. When lid 37 is in the closed position of FIG. 2, tray 27 will be closely spaced to or contacting ledge 23 (FIG. 6). While in the closed position, tray 27 is preferably spaced above container bottom 17, leaving a space or compartment below tray 27 for optionally depositing a chemical material such as an antimicrobial bag 41. Antimicrobial bag 41 is a porous bag having a conventional chemical material that dissipates into the atmosphere within container 11 and retards the growth of bacteria on brushes 13. The chemical agent of antimicrobial bag 41 communicates with bristles 14 via apertures 29.

In operation of the first embodiment, container 11 is shown in the closed position in FIG. 2 with brushes 13 located inside and being supported on tray 27. Bristles 14 are below container upper end 19 and typically touching the interior of sidewall 15. Lid 37 closes upper end 19 of container 11. If used, anti-microbial material in bag 41 communicates with any cosmetic residue on brushes 13 via apertures 29 in tray 27.

To access brushes 13, the user grasps knob 39 and lifts rod 35 and lid 37 upward to expose bristles 14. The user could simply hold knob 39 while picking out one of the brushes 13, then lowering lid 37 back on top of container 11. Alternately, the user can place tray 27 in a self-supporting upper position, which leaves bristles 14 of brushes 13 exposed after the user releases knob 39. To do so, the user lifts knob 39 to a point where tray 27 is above upper ends 25 of splines 21. The user then rotates knob 39 and tray 27 an increment less than 90° to misalign tray notches 31 with splines 21. The user then lowers tray 27 until it rests on spline upper ends 25 as shown in FIG. 1. Tray 27 is spaced a significant distance above container bottom 17 in this upper position. At least bristles 14 of the brushes 13 protrude above container upper end 19. Typically the upper portions of at least some of brushes 13 will tilt laterally outward past sidewall 15. Lid 37 remains attached to rod 35 in this embodiment and is spaced above open end 19 a distance proportional to the distance from the closed position of FIG. 1 to the open position of FIG. 2.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 7-9, container 43 resembles container 11 of the first embodiment in that it has a closed bottom 45, a cylindrical sidewall 47, and an open top 49. A tray 51 is carried within container 43 for movement from a lower position shown in FIG. 8 to an upper position shown in FIG. 7. Container 43, however, does not have a supporting shoulder nor splines within its interior similar to shoulder 25 and splines 21 (FIG. 4). Rather a telescoping lifting assembly is employed for lifting tray 51 as well as serving as means for supporting tray 51 in any upper position.

The telescoping lifting assembly in this embodiment is similar to a conventional radio antenna. A fixed rod or mandrel 53 is rigidly secured to bottom 45 by a mounting boss 55. Mandrel 53 is cylindrical and has an upper end 57 spaced below the open top 49. Mandrel 53 may be tubular or a solid rod. A sleeve 59 slides over mandrel 53 and has an inner cylindrical wall 61 (FIG. 9) that frictionally engages an outer cylindrical wall 63 of mandrel 53. Sleeve 59 and mandrel 53 may be formed of metal and constructed in the same manner as a telescoping section of a radio antenna. Mating stop shoulders 65 (FIG. 9) may be formed on walls 61, 63 to provide a limit for the amount of extension of sleeve 59 relative to mandrel 57. The friction between sleeve 59 and mandrel 53 is sufficient to support tray 51 and a typical set of brushes in any elevated position above boss 55.

Tray 51 is secured to a lower end sleeve 59 for movement therewith. A lid 67 is secured to an upper end of sleeve 59. Lid 67 optionally may have a knob 69. The distance between tray 51 and lid 67 is less than the height of container 43 and selected to place tray 51 slightly above boss 55 when lid 67 engages upper end 49, as shown in FIG. 8.

In the operation of the second embodiment, to access brushes from container 43, the user grasps knob 69 and pulls upward an amount sufficient to expose the bristles of the brushes. The user may release knob 69, and the friction between sleeve 59 and mandrel 53 will retain tray 51 in that position. It is not necessary to rotate sleeve 59 relative to container 43 in this embodiment. To close container 43, the user simply pushes downward on lid 67 with enough force to overcome the frictional resistance between mandrel 53 and sleeve 59.

The invention has significant advantages. The container retains brushes in an attractive, neat-appearing manner. The container prevents any cosmetic residue from smearing onto other objects while the brushes are stored. The tray can easily be maintained in a self-supporting upper position. The lid and lower compartment allow the use of an anti-microbial agent to retard bacteria growth in the cosmetic residue on the brushes.

While the invention has been shown in only one of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is no so limited, but is susceptible to various changes without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, rather than being attached to lid 37, rod 35 could optionally be shorter, with knob 39 located below and separated from lid 37 while in the closed position. In this alternate arrangement, the user accesses brushes 13 by first removing lid 37, setting it aside, then grasping knob 39 to pull up rod 35 and tray 27. Other types of retention mechanisms could be used to hold tray 27 in the upper position rather than upper ends of splines 21. For example, a hook could extend from one side of tray 27 for hooking over container upper end 19. The anti-microbial pad arrangement of the first embodiment could also be employed in the second embodiment. 

1. An apparatus for storing articles, comprising: a container having a sidewall, a closed bottom, and an open top; a tray carried within the container for axial movement along a longitudinal axis of the container; and a lifting member secured to the tray and extending upward to at least the top of the container, wherein articles placed on the tray may be accessed by lifting the lifting member and the tray.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a lid that releasably fits on the top of the container and is secured to the lifting member for movement therewith.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for releasably retainining the tray in an upper position relative to the container.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lifting member comprises an elongated telescoping assembly.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, the sidewall of the container is cylindrical, and the tray has a circular periphery.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tray has a lower self-supporting position above the closed bottom and an upper self-supporting position below the open top.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lifting member comprises: an elongated mandrel having a lower end mounted to the base; and a sleeve telescopingly received over the mandrel, the tray being mounted to the sleeve.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tray has plurality of perforations and the apparatus further comprises: a lower compartment in the container spaced below the tray; a quantity of a chemical treatment material located in the compartment for communicating with the articles via the perforations in the tray.
 9. An apparatus for applying cosmetics, comprising: a container having a cylindrical sidewall, a closed bottom, and an open top; a tray carried within the container for axial movement along a longitudinal axis of the container from a lower position; a lid that releasably fits over the top; a lifting member secured to the tray and to the lid; and a plurality of brushes removably carried in the container, each brush having a handle with an end that is supported on the tray and a set of bristles that is supported by the sidewall of the container while the tray is in the lower position, whereby lifting the lid causes the lifting member to lift the tray, pushing the bristles of the brushes above the top of the container for access by a user.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the lifting member comprises: an elongated telescoping assembly having a contracted and an extended position, the telescoping assembly having inner and outer wall surfaces that frictionally engage each other to retain the tray in an upper position within the container.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the lifting member comprises: an elongated mandrel having a lower end mounted to the base; a sleeve telescopingly received over the mandrel for movement between contracted and extended positions, the tray being mounted to a lower portion of the sleeve and the lid being mounted to an upper portion of the sleeve; and wherein the mandrel and the sleeve frictionally engage each other to retain the tray at any desired elevation relative to the container.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: mating stop shoulders on the sleeve and the mandrel for defining a fully extended position, the tray being at an elevation below the open top and above the closed bottom while the sleeve is in the fully extended position.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the sleeve has a length less than a distance from the closed bottom to the open top of the container.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: a plurality of perforations in the tray; an anti-microbial agent located between the bottom of the container and tray while the tray is in the lower position for communicating with the brushes via the perforations in the tray.
 15. A method of storing articles, comprising: (a) providing a container having a sidewall, a closed bottom, and an open top; (b) securing an elongated lifting member to a tray; (c) placing articles on the tray and lowering the tray into the container with the lifting member to a lower position; and to access the articles, (d) lifting the tray with the lifting member.
 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein step (d) further comprises supporting the tray within the container in an upper position above the lower position and releasing the lifting member.
 17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising: providing the tray with a plurality of perforations; and placing a chemical material in the container below the tray while the tray is in the lower position, and treating the articles with the chemical material via the perforations in the tray.
 18. The method according to claim 15, further comprising: securing a lid to the lifting member; and wherein step (c) further comprises landing the lid on the top of the container when the tray is in the lower position. 